The Washington critic., 1887-01-05
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

TOPICS OF THE DAY.
The members wives are numerous
In the stationery room these days, says
the Mail and Express, and very many
are the packages sent out each day.
The customers are too many for the
employees to wait on, and they are per-
mitted 10 roam through at will and
select what they want out of the stock,
provided their husbands have so
ordered. The goods here are for mem.
bers exclusively; they are not sold to
outsiders. They are not intended for
holiday presents, the stationer tells you
They are merely the regular stationery
supply that Uncle Sam has provided
for the members. II member should
a fan, in his official correspondence, II
is provided for him, at cost price, the
Government to pay the bill, unless his
needs shall exceed the value of $125.
above which he would have to pay.
Not only the members wives, but the
members themselves are busy looking
oNcr tnc pIcttS mugs Nv thls scaooh'
They are allowed the 1925 for station
cry. They can spend 1t or draw the
money. Some do the latter; others let
their wives do the former.
~
While Mrs. Cleveland has bought o
great many presents for relations,
school friends and newer Washington
acquaintance, says the Boston Record,
the President has not had the time or
opportunity. But he is not at loss for
resources. He is following up old
precedents by getting out lot of his
photographs. Cleveland has always
been great man for giving visitors
pictures of himself That was one of
the first things he did for q visitor ut
Albany. 1t became more marked dur
ing the Presidential campaign, and
there are photographers who assert that
he not only countenanced, but encour-
aged Mrs. Cleveland to be photographed
as extensively as she has been.
Whether or not he countenanced or ever
saw the picture shown in the window
here, which presents head Of himself
and his wife inside heart, and under.
meath the inscription, 1.-TWO hearts that
beat as one," Is doubtful. lie could
hardly have helped smiling at 1t. But
the way that he is distributing his like.
ncsses this year may be guessed at
from the fact that photographer S van
rolled down through the grounds on
Wednesday afternoon after spending
ten minutes unloading its freight.
w.
Speaking of the Presidents life at
the White House and its daily routine,
"Towle" of the Boston T'rdrellCr says:
Mr.. Cleveland rises ut Or about o'clock
in the morning, bathes and dresses
usually in advance of the breakfast
hour, which is promptly announced at
$ o'clock. In company with Mrs.
Cleveland substantial breakfast is
discussed, all of the dishes being plainly
cooked in good home fashion, consist
ing usually of fish, steak, breakfast
bacon and the usual Accomplishments,
such as may be found at the table of
any family of moderate circumstances
The President is at his office desk
promptly every morning at from nine
to quarter past, and his first act is to
open and read personal letters, which
have been separated from the official
mail and laid on his table, Great care
is taken in asserting the mail, so that
letters of n private nature are not mixed
with those ON official business. After
digcsting the contents of such com
munications he glances over the
papers. His morning engagements
begin as early as 10 o'clock,
and continue till noon or later, in
receiving public men and visitors
strictly on business. On Tuesdays aud
Thursdays, however, which are Cabi-
net days, these business interviews are
brought to a close promptly at noon
If these Cabinet gatherings disperse
before or 80, the President receives
daily all who may desire to pay their
formal respects. So soon as the re.
ception is closed the President joins
Mrs. Cleveland in light lunch,
usually consisting of cup of tea, bis,
cult or other unsubstantial food
Lunch being over, the President re
sumes work in his office, thoroughly
sitting and examining the great mass
of papers laid before him. Nothing is
passed by hastily or inconsiierately
and here he labors assiduously, unless
interrupted by special appointments
with Cabinet officials, Senators, Repre-
sentativcs, or others, until four
or half past four in the afternoon.
AT this time he proceeds TO enjoy a
ride in his private Victoria, behind the
famous seal brown span of horses, in
company with Mrs. Cleveland, and
possibly visitor. Returning from
riding The President finds dinner ready
ut 6 O'clock, possibly little later, and
there are usually guests present, gen
orally personal friends from New York
and other sections, who are asked tC
share the family meal, sans ceremonie
The dinner is Il well served, substantial
meal, but without display, plain cook
ing and plenty of 1t. Wines are served
at dinner. The household of the EX
ccutiye Mansion Is extremely simple
consisting only of the President. Mrs
Cleveland, st. Clair, the colorcd stew
ard, two dining'room colorcd servants
chef or man cook, and one femal,
assistant, person to do chores, ant
two colored workwOmen. Steward 81
Clair came with the President from
Albany, where he filed like position
The President pays his own coachmal
and provides feed for his own horses
In fact, he accepts no pgrquisites what
ever from the Government, and pay
his way in all outlays incident t.
private and social life.
~
William Thomnson. the United